Looks like a sophisticated Karaoke Machine - you outta get one, Donny. You sincerely believe that's where the future of music is headed, at least according to your posts during the past decade.

Gary

Like I said Gary we agree to disagree have a nice day.
That said my KORG Pa4x can do all of that shown,
..the Merish 4 is a really nice unit for a single act with singer, keyboard or guitar, etc, for sure.

Very impressive unit and I agree thats where "live" preformance is going. Of course you still have to be able to sing and interact but as we know people don't care where the music is coming from.

Thanx Bill for the reply..national live acts all over have been using digital backing tracks for years worldwide it's nothing new from
Disneyland shows, major concert venues, to Broadway and beyond...computer technology has infested every part of our lives and will continue to do so. By musicians embracing the technology and creating music in different ways is inevitable for sure. I see it as a good thing. We can't live in the past anymore although many still do and remain in denial but that's ok too if it makes them happy.
The people have spoken and as the songs goes....

"Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera…

I don't get out that much but like Gary and DonM, I don't see any indication of 'live' performance going in that direction around these parts. I guess there are a few KJ/DJ type venues somewhere around Atlanta, but all the well-known clubs, etc. feature live music of some type. The most common seem to be 'Blues' clubs, followed by Country, followed by Rock.

The other thing I don't agree with is that machines like the one above is the 'future of music'. It may turn out to have a niche in (so-called) 'live performance' (in a few selected venues - like former karaoke bars), but it most certainly is not the future of MUSIC (as in music creation). For the most part, these things are really just a highly evolved, highly controllable, 'record player' (sans vocal track). Truth is, I can't imagine why any MUSICIAN would even want one (to create music with--or even perform with). I also don't believe that the audience (except for maybe the MOST uninformed) doesn't care where the music is coming from. If that were true, what would be the motivation for wanting to play there? Or, are you saying that musicians don't care about being musicians anymore. I hope I'm dead and gone before we reach that state.

Anyhoo, JMO.

chas

There will be bands for along time in certain situations but economics dictate this new kind of preforming. At,least 10 years ago a good friend of mine ditched bringing his keyboard and went Singing/ DJ . He's still going strong in Nothern NJ
He can be more versatile and do more,contemporary music. He's just one example of a few I know of.
No one,complains if he's not playing, they like the singing and the dance music.

Understand Bill. But there are two different things going on here. One is, 'what instrument/device/etc. are you going to use to gig with in the future, and two, what are you going to use to create music in the future. When you play a pre-recorded track at a gig, THAT music has ALREADY been created (and NOT on a 'Merish').

chas

Definaltly agree they are different. Creating the music and preforming the music are two different worlds. Rarely do the talents that go into creating a piece get the credit that the Singer who performs it gets . Or the money.
We were discussing Donny's find of what I think is a great new tool for the performer. Creating the music it plays takes lots of different tools and talents.
BTW I really liked the way the unit morphed from one song to the next. I wish my Arranger could do that.

Bill I agree it does have some very interesting features and vocal harmony too. Plus the singer is smokin` hot!!

Didn't watch the whole video.
Does the singer come with the unit?
I'll take 2 units ....
Eric

Go back and watch it again all the way thru...

I had been following on this company that makes the Merish. It is an Italian company http://www.m-live.com/en/ I thought about getting one but decided to go software.

Do you play out with software or?

What is missing with all these gadgets is the visual effect and impact of a performing musician/entertainer. The audience can see you playing a guitar, keyboard, piano, synth, etc... They know it is YOU creating that music - LIVE! With the advanced record player/karaoke machine there is a significant part of the entertainment missing. This ain't rocket science. Those visual effects are a big draw - no question about it, despite what Donny predicts.

Gary

If I could hook up with a singer like that I could book 7 nights a week, not that I want to now.
Worked with a few talented girls and they make booking a 1000 times easier.

I agree, Bill - but as you and many of us are well aware, finding a drop-dead, gorgeous gal that can stand in front of a live audience and belt out those tunes is akin to being struck by lightning, though if I recall, Fran had a couple working with him for many years on the beach.

Gary

OK, a couple of things ...

First of all, I guess I'm old, very particular, or both, because I did not see a smokin' hot chick in that video ...

Now, about the unit - I can see it being used in some venues, especially if it is to augment the sound of a 2 - 3 piece group. It certainly seems to have a lot of good features, for someone who does not want to - or cannot - transport a keyboard around.
Of course the video was staged, but I found it interesting that the people in the background were socializing, and not really dancing - but I guess if this 'box' were hooked up to a good PA system with a thumping bass, people would dance.

As for tracks vs 'live' music, again it depends on the venue ... I think we all have seen dance clubs with DJs and crowded dance floors - well, is this any different? If people are going out to dance, as long as the music is stuff they know, is loud, and is thumping, they will dance ...

However, if I am going to see a vocalist or musician perform, do I want them performing to backing tracks all night? I don't think so - BUT, that being said, I have seen those three young, great Italian singers - "Il VOLO" live in concert with an orchestra of about 16 players, and yet each one of them did one solo each to a backing track of a full symphony orchestra and singers.

As for the gigs many of us on this board play - NH/AL/Sr Centers, etc. those audiences do not care if we are playing an instrument or not. What they want is to be 'entertained'. I work gigs as a soloist with my KORG Pa900 and I also work gigs with a female vocalist using only 'backing tracks'. When we work one of those gigs, do people come up and say "OH, you didn't play any instruments" ? NO!!! they come up and say things like "we love your voices", "You two sing so well together", "We love your singing, especially the duets", etc. etc., etc. ...
At a couple of AL places I work, I am one of the very few who actually plays an instrument - even though I know that some of the other performers play keys, or guitar very well. They just don't want to go through the trouble of transporting and setting up additional equipment.
I also find, that performing strictly as a vocalist using 'backing tracks', I have a certain amount of 'freedom' as an "entertainer", while performing with the keyboard gives me a different 'freedom' to express myself as a "musician".

Now, as far as the future of music goes, the entertainment section of our newspaper on Thursday is filled with listings of what musician/singer/band is playing where (and chas, there are a good number of Jazz venues also). Now some of these 'acts' are 'tributes' where a guy does a Buble act, or another does Sinatra, or another does Dean Martin, all using 'backing tracks, but for the most part there are good musicians playing their instruments, so I am fairly confident that 'live' music will be around for a while yet ...
And as long as I am still around doing what I do, while I really enjoy being a 'vocalist', I will prefer to perform with my keyboard ...

The box has a lot of nice features and functions but wouldn't it be hard for a solo performer to control 'live' on stage? It's nice that most things seem to have a dedicated button, slider, etc., but that seems like an awful lot for 'older' performers to remember, especially since they can't even seem to remember to hit a 'fill' button once in awhile on their arrangers . Seems to me most of those controls are intended for 'live', on-the-fly control. I guess you could pre-program a lot of it but doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of the machine? Don't know about the rest of you but I have to re-learn how to use my smartphone every day (I can now sucessfully answer 1 out of every 3 calls---where's my damn flip phone).

Love the technology but don't know if I'd want to sit through two solid hours of vocals. But that's just me.

chas

Sounds like an old age home discussion in here...sheeeeesh
playing automatic styles is not the definitive Mecca of the Music world. You'd be surprised at what the human talent can produce musically. Open your mind, let the new in with the old & beyond, believe me it makes a great recipe if you allow it. I'm so glad we have so many choices now. As for the haters & deniers they don't exist in my world of music. Have a great day!

I'm still waiting for the "smokin' hot chick" to appear too"

Jerryghr

Back when I was performing in NHs, I probably could have used this for my backing tracks. My problem was I was too lazy to bring much equipment so I used an Ipod and a rhythm guitar. I figured I made the same money no matter how much stuff I brought.

Now, I am working with an arranger and kicking around the idea of getting back into it, provided I can learn to play the arranger well enough. But at times, the realization of how much equipment I will have to carry compared to my backing track days hits and I wonder what I am doing. The bottom line is the backing tracks are too restrictive for me and the arranger gives you the freedom to try different things. I used to work four to five hours minimum on a track. Sometimes you would play the song and it didn't go over or I just stopped doing it for whatever reason. So all of the time working on the track is wasted. With an arranger, you can try things and if it doesn't work for whatever reason-nothing lost.

Why is it that whenever anyone dares question your infinite wisdom about all things musical, they immediately get labeled a 'hater & denier'. Do you really think that YOUR opinion is the only one that counts? I merely questioned whether a gadget with so many 'live' controls might be difficult for older, more traditional musicians (which happens to make up the majority of this forum's members) to operate in a live performance. That makes me a 'hater'? Maybe it would help if you took a little more time to read and digest a post before your usual lightning-fast, knee-jerk responses. Just a friendly suggestion.

chas

Chas so early in the morning? it was a "general statement" not aimed at anyone in particular and yes there are haters/deniers in this world I just block them out, just being honest. Also I really don't need your advice on how to reply thank you for your concern,...
now back to my morning coffee......

Written communication is seriously tricky, especially on Synthzone. Tone of voice, intention and meaning can easily be misinterpreted. People can and will get offended at what otherwise might seem like something totally inconsequential. At times I’ve seen discussions go nuclear over something that was said online simply because the intent and tone of voice wasn’t understood correctly.

.....................and that's when the fight started.

This unit seems to be the next incarnation of the Roland Discover 5m and Ketron Midjay. It utilizes newer technology to allow singers and solo performers to embellish their performance.

This is certainly not a new concept...just the latest technological self contained unit...and it sounds pretty darn good. Heck...back in the 70's I would pre-record background harmonies and keyboard parts on sound on sound tape decks, and then play them through my pa as I sang a played guitar. People thought I was lip syncing at the time.

Donny continues to share technology as he finds it on the web. I for one, appreciate his discoveries without judgement for his motives. Technology will continue to advance whether we like it or not. Someone still has to create the music. It's up to the live performer to sell their reproduction of it.

Jingleman Thanx, wise words,...
I see you have an open mind. Good luck with your music.

+1 on Jingleman's comment.

Just once in a blue moon I use my software setup; mp3 with lyrics, kar files, and Karaoke apps. I use either PC apps or IOS apps. One of them is written by the very company that make the Merish. It's called Grinta.

Sounds like an interesting setup...good luck with your music.

this thing looks Awasome does anybody got one ?????

I think for your act Ron it would be a perfect fit!!
keep us posted when you get one....

The tools are getting so good (in photography, graphics and other fields as well), it takes as long to learn to use them as to actually learn the basic skill. When you add the tools to ability, the result is awesome.

You just have to remember to use these tools to enhance, not replace talent.

Sadly, I see a lot of people doing that.

Russ